Archive / Folk & Traditional Wind & Keyboard Instruments

The Hohner 560 Special 20 in country tuning (also known as major 7th tuning in cross harp position) has the 5-draw reed tuned 1/2 a step higher (to F# on a C harp) than normal, allowing you to play a complete major diatonic scale in cross harp. As expert harp player Steve Baker describes in his book, The Harp Handbook, “What all this means in practice is that you can play major melodies whilst retaining the bluesy bending capabilities of the 2nd position. This is great for jazzy numbers or ragtime, as well as many other styles….”Musicians that favor this harmonica include country music legends such as Charlie McCoy and renowned jazz musicians such as Lil’ Ronnie Owens of the Grand Dukes.The Special 20 is the most recommended go-to harp for harmonica players of any style, including blues, country, folk, or rock. The Special 20 delivers the coveted Marine Band sound and offers the added benefits of its plastic comb, which doesn’t absorb moisture. Plastic combs are stable and do not swell, shrink, or crack. Plus they last longer and are more airtight than wood combs that can become swollen, twisted, and warped. Increased airtightness also means increased responsiveness. Plastic also provides comfort and it’s smoother on the lips, preventing chafing. Another plus of the Hohner 560 Special 20 is that its reed plates are recessed into the comb. This keeps the 2 (rather sharp) edges of the brass reed plates from harming the your lips. The Special 20 is the harp-of-choice of harmonica virtuoso John Popper of the band Blues Traveler and was played by Bob Dylan on his 2007-2008 tour. Chances are your favorite player has several of these harmonicas in his case.Choose your desired key!About Hohner:Hohner is a family company founded in 1857 in Trossingen, Germany by Matthias Hohner. Handmade quality and close attention to detail has set Hohner apart from the beginning. A top leading brand in harmonicas, Hohner harps are distributed worldwide. Hohner harmonicas are played on the street by buskers, in intimate nightclubs, on festival stages, and even in Carnegie Hall. Despite a diverse harmonica line used in music from country to classical genres, the most famous Hohner harmonicas are their simple, 10-hole diatonics used frequently by blues, rock, country, and folk musicians. 10-hole diatonicCountry (major 7th) tuningReeds: 20Reedplates: brass; 0.9 mmPlastic combLength: 10 cmHohner harmonicas feature:Improved reed profiles to increase reed life by over 200%Precision die punches to ensure reed plates with unparalleled air tightnessImproved tuning accuracy (through investment in innovative new tools)Extremely stable stainless steel covers that won’t tarnish and are easy to cleanDynamic range and highest volume of most any commercially made harmonicaSuper-fast response at all volume levelsEasily adjustability for overblowsA unique Hohner sound that is a tone benchmark for blues, folk, and rockHohner 584353.824 – Hohner 560 Special 20 Harmonica with Country Tuning G# – musical instruments

The Suzuki Promaster Valved Harmonica is a 10-hole diatonic built with the same precision as the standard Promaster. This revolutionary harmonica features precision crafted reed plates for easy note bending and phosphor bronze reeds. The draw cycle valve system circulates air to allow note bending in the blow as well as the draw cycle. Its note bending abilities will make your music magical! Comes with a soft lined hardshell carrying case.Valves-also known as windsavers-are typically used in chromatic harmonicas to prevent air from going into the reed that is not being played. For example, air from a blow reed does not escape through the slit for the draw reed. On a diatonic harmonica, valves make it more airtight and it becomes easier to bend the lower blow notes and upper draw notes by focusing more of the air to a single reed.Suzuki 583580.800 – Suzuki Promaster Valved Harmonica A – Suzuki, Harmonicas

The 595BL Blue Midnight 10-hole, hand-tuned diatonic harmonica gets its name from the highly-influential instrumental workout by blues harp genious Little Walter Jacobs. Crafted to replicate those legendary bends and warbles, the Blue Midnight harp is set apart by an evocative blue plastic comb made from a durable material that will never swell, offering a comfortable mouthpiece for ease of playing. The stainless steel cover plates, with wide open back ends and closed side vents similar to the iconic Blues Harp covers, allow for maximum volume and a tone that can alternate between sweet and ornery. Assembled with two single screws, the cover plates are easily removable for customization of reed gapping and setup. The custom “Chicago-style” tuning from Hohner’s vaults allows for an uncompromised blend of single-note runs, octaves, and chords that make up the essential vocabulary for the serious harp player. 10-hole diatonicCustom “Chicago-style” tuningBlue plastic combStainless steel cover platesHohner H71959.007 – Hohner 595Bl Blue Midnight Harmonica Key Of C – Hohner, Harmonicas

Using the most seasoned tonewoods and unique construction technique, the MR-500 Firebreath harmonica is the result of Suzuki’s research and development of unique professional grade harmonicas.Rosewood has been sought after by top musicians from all over the globe, from classical guitar players to top violinists. This wood allows unique tonal qualities and when used in harmonica construction, gives a warmer tone. Using rosewood can produce a high velocity of sound and a broad range of mid and low overtones. These lows help to create a complex bottom end which imparts a richness to the overall tone of the harmonica.The redesigned reeds, which are the heart of the instrument, have been produced with the advanced player in mind. However, this new reed design makes it easier to play the harmonica chromatically, right out of the box! The Suzuki Reed plates allow ease of play, especially with overblow and overdraw techniques.The Suzuki MR-500 Firebreath harmonica is also made with the same high quality Rosewood. If you prefer to play a wood comb harmonica but dislike the problems associated with wood comb harmonicas in the past, then here is the harmonica for you. Just like the MR-550, the comb is resistant to moisture and swelling. The mouth piece is rounded for a great comfortable feel and ideal for tongue blocking technique. The durability of rosewood is regarded as one of the best in the tonewood family. 10-hole diatonicStandard, Richter tuningRosewood combResistant to moisture and swellingRedesigned reeds for easier overblows and overdrawsRounded mouthpiece for comfort and easier tongue-blockingSuzuki 583582.803 – Suzuki FIREBREATH HARMONICA B – musical instruments

The Suzuki C-20 Olive Harmonica has a vivid green Olive coverplate, achieved in a special high-tech process without any coloring material for lasting durability and clear tone.Hybrid Wood-Resin CombIn the past, all harmonicas had wood combs. They gave a warm tone but wood absorbed moisture from the players’s breath and deformed, reducing airtightness and playing comfort. To solve this problem, Suzuki has invented the wood-resin composite body. This material is composed of over 50% wood fibers encased in impermeable resin, which allows the player to enjoy the tone of a traditional wooden harmonica without its past problems. First pioneered on the popular Manji diatonic, this comb has been widely praised by players.Made in JapanThe ease of playing a harmonica is strongly influenced by its airtightness. Suzuki 10 holes harmonicas are extremely airtight due to highly accurate by high-accuracy manufacturing processes and assembly. The Olive’s tight seal between component parts makes respond quickly to quick phrases, and gives sensitive tone and bending control. In addition, Suzuki’s unique welded-reed manufacturing process gives unprecedented accuracy of reed attachment, the most accurate ree/slot alignment of any manufacturer. This allows the reeds to respond flexibly to all advanced bending and overblowing technique to achieve a dynamic, deep sound.These high-tech achievements come from a Suzuki tradition of continual improvement of manufacturing processes and a never-ending search for new ideas, backed up by the famously high standards of Japanese craftsmanship, forging a pleasing harmony between tradition and innovation. The “Made in Japan” stamp on Suzuki harmonicas guarantees the player a consistently high quality of manufacture and service. Range: 10 Holes, 10 NotesNotes: Major 12 Keys, Hi G – Low F Materials: Stainless steel coverplates, Solid body with natural wood fiber Remarks: Replaceable ReedplateAccessories: SoftcaseSuzuki H81419.007 – Suzuki C-20 Olive Harmonica Low F – musical instruments

The Suzuki C-20 Olive Harmonica has a vivid green Olive coverplate, achieved in a special high-tech process without any coloring material for lasting durability and clear tone.Hybrid Wood-Resin CombIn the past, all harmonicas had wood combs. They gave a warm tone but wood absorbed moisture from the players’s breath and deformed, reducing airtightness and playing comfort. To solve this problem, Suzuki has invented the wood-resin composite body. This material is composed of over 50% wood fibers encased in impermeable resin, which allows the player to enjoy the tone of a traditional wooden harmonica without its past problems. First pioneered on the popular Manji diatonic, this comb has been widely praised by players.Made in JapanThe ease of playing a harmonica is strongly influenced by its airtightness. Suzuki 10 holes harmonicas are extremely airtight due to highly accurate by high-accuracy manufacturing processes and assembly. The Olive’s tight seal between component parts makes respond quickly to quick phrases, and gives sensitive tone and bending control. In addition, Suzuki’s unique welded-reed manufacturing process gives unprecedented accuracy of reed attachment, the most accurate ree/slot alignment of any manufacturer. This allows the reeds to respond flexibly to all advanced bending and overblowing technique to achieve a dynamic, deep sound.These high-tech achievements come from a Suzuki tradition of continual improvement of manufacturing processes and a never-ending search for new ideas, backed up by the famously high standards of Japanese craftsmanship, forging a pleasing harmony between tradition and innovation. The “Made in Japan” stamp on Suzuki harmonicas guarantees the player a consistently high quality of manufacture and service. Range: 10 Holes, 10 NotesNotes: Major 12 Keys, Hi G – Low F Materials: Stainless steel coverplates, Solid body with natural wood fiber Remarks: Replaceable ReedplateAccessories: SoftcaseSuzuki H81419.006 – Suzuki C-20 Olive Harmonica E – musical instruments

Fender guitars and amps are tools of the trade for the world’s most demanding musicians. That same dedication to quality and innovation is evident in the introduction of the newest member of the Fender family, the Midnight Special, a 10-hole diatonic harmonica with features fit for the most discerning harpist. Inside its sleek black chrome case, the heavy-duty Midnight Special offers unparalleled, professional upgrades for the player in search of the ultimate high-performance harmonica.The Midnight Special’s precision-made stainless steel reeds and reed plates are designed to produce rich overtones with plenty of volume and tonal stability while minimizing air loss. The harmonica is optimized for peerless performance with rounded cover plates, hole openings and dividers, ensuring the finest in Fender comfort and style. It also features a treated moisture-proof wood comb, which undergoes a diligent finishing process to ensuring minimal swelling and a longer lifespan after the punishing performances. Stainless steel reeds (0.4 mm)Exclusive black chrome cover platesMoisture-proof wood combIncludes stylish leather pouchAvailable in the keys of C, G, A, D, F, B and EbFender J24119.002 – Fender Midnight Special Harmonica Key Of G – Fender, Harmonicas